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Pulsatile Tinnitus Clinic

Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) is a symptom that affects nearly five million Americans. The sensation of hearing a rhythmic noise, such as a heartbeat, swooshing or whooshing, from no external source, is, at best, a little unsettling; for many, the near constant sound exceeds annoyance and becomes completely debilitating. Nearly 60% of patients who experience this issue also suffer from some form of depression or anxiety. These rates are significantly higher than those associated with other chronic conditions due in large part to the difficulty of diagnosing the root cause of symptoms.

Common Causes of Pulsatile Tinnitus

Pulsatile tinnitus can have many different origins, some fairly benign, others potentially life-threatening. Sources can include vascular malformations, abnormal cerebral pressures, and unique blood flow patterns near the ear. The condition can also be caused by the presence of a tumor. Even when the causes of PT are fairly benign, its effects are sufficiently incapacitating for most patients to seek help.

Why UCSF

Identifying the source of pulsatile tinnitus and moving to resolve it safely and finally is vital to all patients, whether their condition has a potentially fatal cause or not. That resolution escapes many patients for lengthy periods, however, as they move from one physician to another, steadily frustrated by incomplete answers. The UCSF Pulsatile Tinnitus Clinic, led by Matthew Amans, MD, takes a multidisciplinary approach involving specialists from the departments of Radiology, Neurology, and Psychiatry who collaborate to diagnose and treat today's patients, and further study PT to help future patients.

Patients Self-Referrals

Have not yet scheduled an appointment with a doctor regarding this condition.

About the Second Opinion program:

A review of your case by Dr. Amans, who will communicate his 2nd opinion to you through UCSF’s Second Opinion portal. He will indicate whether he recommends the option to see him in clinic.

How does it work:

Through the portal, you will be asked for all relevant information for Dr. Amans to assist with your consultation

This includes your demographics, a description of your symptoms, and any prior images.

With this information, Dr. Amans will be able to reach out to you directly to provide a rapid response to your question regarding your condition next steps. To access the portal, please visit: UCSF’s Second Opinion portal

Highlights:
Convenience of PT diagnosis up front, without the need of scheduling an in-person meeting

Determine if you have Pulsitile Tinnitus and what to do about it

Direct contact with world-leader in the field of Pulsitile Tinnitus

Quick turn around time

No need to schedule an in-person appointment for first consultation (diagnosis)

Billing & Insurance

After a procedure is scheduled, UCSF Interventional Neuroradiology will help patients and referring practices with pre-service insurance authorization or pre-service coverage determination when the patient is referred by a UCSF provider.

Pulsatile Tinnitus Clinic News

Pulsatile Tinnitus: One Patient’s Quest to End Ominous Ringing in Her Ear

It started in her right ear, a persistent whooshing sound that interfered with sleep and increasingly distracted her from daily activities. Learn more

Quantitative Imaging In Medicine and Surgery

September 3, 2015

Abstract

It has not been previously possible to investigate the link between the presentation of flow related symptoms, such as pulsatile tinnitus, and flow patterns (1). In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has able to determine the full velocity field in 3-dimensional (3D) space through the cardiac cycle. We used MR flow imaging in vivo and in vitro with a patient-specific flow model to study the flow patterns in the dominant right sigmoid sinus and jugular vein of a patient who presented with right-sided subjective pulsatile tinnitus which cannot be heard by an examiner auscultating the head.

ASHNR 2015

April 13, 2015

This research was to develop a guideline to assist physicians to obtain the most helpful imaging workup for pulsatile tinnitus evaluation.

Pulsatile Tinnitus Research

It has not been previously possible to investigate the link between the presentation of flow related symptoms, such as pulsatile tinnitus, and flow patterns (1). In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has able to determine the full velocity field in 3-dimensional (3D) space through the cardiac cycle. We used MR flow imaging in vivo and in vitro with a patient-specific flow model to study the flow patterns in the dominant right sigmoid sinus and jugular vein of a patient who presented with right-sided subjective pulsatile tinnitus which cannot be heard by an examiner auscultating the head.